In early‑Shōwa Japan, kōya—local indigo‑dyeing workshops—could be found in many towns and villages,deeply woven into everyday life. In a time when garments were cherished and worn for many years, people routinely brought their faded kimono or work clothes to be redyed.Within these workshops, permeated with the distinctive smell of indigo, artisans dyed cloth entirely by hand, passing down regional hues and techniques from one generation to the next. More than places of dyeing, kōya were familiar, trusted spaces that supported the fabric of daily culture.

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Stories from that era tell us that farming families would buy cotton yarn, have it dyed at the local kōya, and weave it during the winter months. It is said that several weavers lived in each settlement, and children played outside while listening to the rhythmic sound of the looms. We hope that, as you hold these indigo‑dyed coasters, you can imagine the quiet beauty of those everyday scenes from long ago.